Two poachers killed in Kaziranga

Kaziranga (Assam): Two poachers were killed in an encounter today with patrolling forest personnel in the Kaziranga National Park, famed for its one-horned rhino.

Kaziranga Divisional Forest Officer S K Seal Sarmah said patrolling forest personnel confronted a group of 5 poachers near Rangalu camp in Burapahar range.

The poachers opened fire in a bid to escape but the guards retaliated and two poachers were killed in the ensuing encounter while others managed to escape.

The forest guards recovered a .303 rifle and a gun, he said.

The bodies of the two poachers were recovered later during a search operation and sent for postmortem, he said.

The slain poachers were identified as Manas Ali and Taher Ali. The search was on to nab the absconding others.

Altogether 18 poachers and 21 rhinos have been killed during the year in Kaziranga National Park, Seal Sarmah added.